Best Karaoke St. Louis 2006 - Tom's Bar & Grill

Ah, the siren song of the tone deaf: "Though it's cold and lonely in the deep dark night/I can see paradise by the dashboard light." As the sound bounces off the steep cabin rafters, wannabe Meat Loafs (and Madonnas and Marky Marks) find themselves inexplicably drawn to the karaoke sanctuary that is Tom's Bar & Grill. Every Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. till 1 a.m., rookie rock stars flood Tom's for their three minutes of small-scale fame, their eyes pursuing the bouncing lyrics ball as though its code will unlock the secrets of the great pyramids. Although it hasn't quite done that (so far, anyway), it is worth noting that Tom's karaoke does yield treasures: On the last Saturday of each month, a $300 prize is awarded to the audience-elected karaoke champ.